Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage is a combination of massage techniques including long strokes, kneading, tapping, percussion, vibration and shaking motions that apply pressure between muscles and bones, in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.

Benefits of this massage style include shortening recovery time from muscular strain, increased circulation, stretching of ligaments and tendons, skin stimulation and soothing of the nervous system.

It can reduce stress, both emotionally and physically, and can be used as part of a regular program for stress management.

The sequence of techniques usually used in a session of Swedish Massage are:

• Effleurage: gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips.
• Petrissage: kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingertips.
• Friction: circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingertips.
• Vibration: oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body.
• Percussion: brisk hacking or tapping.
• Passive and Active Movements: bending and stretching.